Twitter announces tablet-optimized Android app, but you’ll need a Note 10.1 (2014) to use it

Back in September, Samsung took the wraps of the Galaxy Note 3, the Gear and the Note 10.1 (2014). At that time, the company also (unintentionally?) gave us our first peak at a new version of Twitter, one that was actually optimized for tablets.

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Fast-forwarding to today, Twitter has now officially announced the tablet-optimized version of Twitter. The bad news is that the app is currently a Samsung exclusive. That’s right, the only way to get your hands on the new tablet-optimized Twitter is to go out and buy the Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014). On the bright side, Twitter’s official blog reports that the app will eventually make its way to other Android devices by the end of the year.

So what’s new in the tablet version of Twitter? The tablet-optimized app is finally more than just a blown up smartphone app, featuring a two-column landscape layout that takes advantage of a tablet’s screen real-estate. There’s also a special Twitter widget that will show off breaking news and photos directly from your homescreen.

The new Twitter app is even designed to play nicely with Samsung’s multi-window feature, and includes a way to draw on photos with the S-Pen, and then post them directly to Twitter.

It’s more than a little disappointing to see the new Twitter app locked down to just one device, though at least we can take comfort in knowing the tablet app will someday make its way to other devices. In the meantime, you’re either stuck using the smartphone-optimized version of Twitter or a 3rd party alternative.

What do you think of Twitter decision to make the app a timed exclusive? Putting aside any frustration, how to do you feel about the new layout based on the screenshot above?